McLarens’ Lando Norris dominated the Singapore Grand Prix to beat Max Verstappen and clinch this third win of the year. 

Norris survived two scares with the wall but neither incident appeared to cause much of an issue. The Briton was however deprived of an extra point by Daniel Ricciardo, after Red Bull’s junior team RB fitted soft tyres with a lap to go so the Australian could take the fastest lap from the Briton on the final tour.

Verstappen finished in second 20.9 seconds after Norris, who closed the championship lead to 52 points. Norris’ McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri finished third, passing both Mercedes drivers on track after a later pit stop. 

Oscar Piastri. Photo: Facebook

After the race, Norris told reporters that it was an amazing race. “A few too many close calls, I had a couple of little moments in the middle, but it was well controlled, I think.

“The car was mega. I could push, we were flying the whole race and at the end could just chill. So it was a nice race, still tough, I’m a bit out of breath, but a very fun one.”

Mercedes’ George Russell finished fourth having become the lead Mercedes with an overcut over the soft-starting Hamilton. Ferrari’s Charl Leclerc finished fifth to add ten valuable points to his championship race. 

Fernando Alonso. Photo: Facebook

Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton (6th), Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz (7th), Aston Martin Racing’s Fernando Alonso (8th), Haas F1’s Nico Hulkenburg (9th) and Red Bull Racing’s Sergio Perez (10th) all finished in the points.

There were only two retirements in the race – Kevin Magnusson and Alexander Albon both did not finish.

The drivers and teams will take a well-deserved break, with the next race only taking place on 20 October in Austin, Texas.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger mc